Author Description

Specially arranged and simplified, these pieces offer beginners the pleasure and satisfaction of playing Beethoven. Students and teachers alike will delight in such popular melodies as "Für Elise," "Ode to Joy," and the haunting opening of the "Moonlight" Sonata. A First Book of Beethoven features 24 selections, including "Romance in F," "Turkish March," "Minuet in G," and "Bagatelle in G Minor." It includes excerpts from the sonatas — such as the opening of the 2nd movement of Sonata No. 14, the "Adagio" from Piano Sonata No. 5, and "Adagio Cantabile" from Sonata No. 8 — as well as highlights from the symphonies. Along with the twenty-four piano arrangements, this collection includes a free MP3 download for every piece, which will help beginning pianists develop an ear for the melodies. The MP3s may be downloaded individually or collectively.